Who’s ready for some more late night basketball? Bucks – Warriors Preview

What to Watch For: Bucks

As they continue on their last West Coast swing of the season, team defense has emerged as the chief problem for the Bucks nearing the end of the season. The team’s offensive rating has increased every month of the season except for one, reaching 108.1 points per 100 possessions in March. However, the Bucks’ defensive rating has ballooned as well, from 104.1 in November to a staggering 114.6 this month. As the long season takes its toll on a primarily youth-oriented team, it seems like defensive principles are slipping, aided by coach Larry Drew‘s preference to switch to a zone defense for a few stretches every night and a confusing defensive scheme that has the Bucks sending a bunch of seemingly unnecessary double teams at opposing players in the post while leaving shooters open.

Regardless of root cause, the last several weeks of the season will provide an opportunity for the Bucks to find something that works–or at least improves upon the problem. That process starts with the Warriors, whose combination of skilled offensive big men and a three-point shooting barrage will test the Bucks’ young defenders.

What to Watch For: Warriors

As they just kind of amble their way toward the playoffs, Golden State has been dealing with a rash of injuries to key players. Andre Iguodala will miss this contest will knee tendonitis, and centers Andrew Bogut and Jermaine O’Neal both missed Tuesday night’s win over Orlando. Both are considered questionable for tonight’s game. However, the main engines of the Warriors’ success – Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and David Lee – will still be available to pose defensive problems for the Bucks. The Dubs hoist over 24 threes per game – which is a LOT – and shoot 37% on those shots. Their reliance on outside shooting has caused inconsistency throughout the season, but when Curry and Thompson are hitting their shots the Warriors are downright lethal.

Prediction: Mitch doesn’t stay awake for the end of the game; 15-20 people in Wisconsin watch, Warriors 110, Bucks 97

Mitch has been a fan of the Bucks since the days of Big Dog, Ray Ray, and Sammy C. He can often be found in the depths of the Trade Machine constructing some real monstrosities. He's 6'0" with a 5'11" wingspan, negligible vertical, and sees himself as more of a distributor than a scorer. Find him on Twitter @mitchvomhof

1 Comment

Besides more John Henson, it’d be nice to see 20 minutes or so from Miroslav.
Also, for down the stretch in close games, why not see what John and Nate can do? — along with Brandon, Khris and maybe Zaza.